"Thought-provoking.... A lovely testament to horses and women from all walks of life."—Karen Stone, Chicago Tribune

In a phenomenon too prevalent to be mere chance, little girls all over the Western world wake one day to find themselves completely taken over by the love of all things equine. Melissa Holbrook Pierson was one of those horse-crazy girls who later returned to riding with a new appreciation for the nature of horses. Melding memoir, sociology, history, anecdote, and a bit of prose poetry, Dark Horses and Black Beauties delves beneath the shallow hypotheses explaining women's connection to horses to look at how this communication with another animal opens us up to a new apprehension of the larger "natural" world.

"A fearless book: unflinching, honest, and kind."—Village Voice

"The play of her mind...is subtle and quick; coltish, one wants to say, and one would be right."—The New York Times, Richard Bernstein

"So beautifully written that it instantly captivates."—Newark Star-Ledger

"She muses to deep and lyrical effect in her new collection of slender and delicate essays on horses and women."—Richard Bernstein, The New York Times

"A meditation intended to dispel those tiresome Freudian theories aimed at the universal fascination women seem to have with horses."—The New York Times Book Review, Jillian Dunham

"A fearless book: unflinching, earnest, and kind."—Village Voice, Emily Jenkins

"This is a poignant, charming, and realistic book."—Maxine Kumin

"Whoever likes animals will love this book, and better yet, whoever seeks to fathom the mysterious relationships between ourselves and other species will be transported."—Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs

"As passionate as it is informative....Rich in history, romance, and charm, Pierson's devotion to horses is always engaging, and most of all, moving."—Brenda Peterson, co-editor of Intimate Nature: The Bond Between Women and Animals

"Pierson's...writing...is well suited to her subject, containing bits of breathless enthusiasm one moment and peaceful contemplation the next."—Publishers Weekly

What started as an exhibition to entertain audiences has turned into the most popular-and dangerous-event in rodeo: bull riding. When a 150-pound man attempts to ride a two-ton bull with a killer instinct, it's not a matter of whether the rider will get injured, but when, and how badly. As cowboy Jim Shoulders says, "You can't stop something like an injury from hurtin', but you can damn well not let it bother you." What motivates riders to devote themselves to this challenging sport? Find out in Austinite Gail Woerner's newest book, which covers bull riding from its beginning into the new millennium.

Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure -- there is only the trail" Don Bowers learned the truth of these words as he lived his dream of running Alaska's grueling 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. With no mushing experience and little money, but with a spirit of adventure and support from friends, he started from scratch to put together a team. Over the next two years, he discovered that becoming a serious musher is not to be undertaken by the faint of heart, or by those who cannot learn to laugh at themselves and keep going in the face of daunting difficulties and dangers. By the time he eventually pulled under the famous burled arch at the end of Front Street in Nome, his perspective on life had been changed forever by his dogs and by the staggering scope and intensity of the Iditarod. This is Everyman's Iditarod, a tribute to the dedicated dreamers and their dogs who run to Nome in back of the pack with no hope of prize money or glory. This is truly "the rest of the story" of the Last Great Race on Earth.

In praise of Fitness, Performance and the Female Equestrian
""This book is an important guide for women who want to feel well, ride well and extend their active years."" Chrystine Jones Tauber former member United States Equestrian Team Grand Prix Jumping Squad
""Mary Midkiff is a new voice in our evolving cultural freedom, where insights unique to women in this case, in relation to horses and riding are welcome and needed."" Richard M. Timms, M.D. chairman and CEO, Troxel Companies
""This is an exciting approach to an ancient relationship. Mary Midkiff has done horsewomen an important and useful service in bringing it all together."" Mary Vernon practicing physician and professor of medicine Lawrence, Kansas
The Howell Equestrian Library is a distinguished collection of books on all aspects of horsemanship and horsemastership. The nearly fifty books in print offer readers in all disciplines and at all levels of competition sound instruction and guidance by some of the most celebrated riders, trainers, judges, and veterinarians in the horse world today. Whether your interest is dressage, show jumping, or western riding, or whether it is breeding, groomi ng, or health care, Howell has a book to answer your needs. Get to know the books in the Howell Equestrian Library; many are modern-day classics and have achieved the status of authoritative references in the estimation of those who ride, train, and care for horses.
The Howell Equestrian Library

Author Gail Woerner used her life-long association with the rodeo world to research and write a history of this paradoxical profession that requires a laugh-getter dressed in baggy britches and wearing a clown face to put his life in jeopardy to protect cowboys from the dangerous Brahma bulls, and sometimes death. All aspects of the world of the rodeo clown are included -- how the profession began, comedy acts created by the rodeo clowns, the animals they trained so masterfully, the evolution of the profession. Other aspects include bullfighting, development of the barrel, injuries which are a part of the job, frustrations in organizing, a cowboy clown's role in the world of rodeo, how sponsors changed the profession, how specialized the bullfighter has become and today's fearless funnymen. Information has been gathered from hundreds of rodeo clowns, bullfighters and barrelmen, plus interviews with wives, sons and daughters, friends and co-workers. Included are more than 700 rodeo clowns, their hometowns along with the years of performance. Other information includes honors and awards given these hilarious risk-taking heroes.

Monte Foreman was one of America's foremost trainers of horses and riders, and many advances in western training have come from his years of research into the action and interaction of horse and rider--research aimed at improving their athletic ability as a team. It was Foreman who first applied still and motion-picture photography to the sport of riding, to determine beyond doubt how horses move most naturally and efficiently. His training methods are applicable to all kinds of western and English riding.

"Monte Foreman's Horse-Training Science" introduces beginning and advanced riders to Foreman's method, which he taught successfully in clinics for many years with Patrick Wyse, his first accredited instructor. Step-by-step instructions and more than 300 photographs and drawings explain how to execute the turn on the forehand, the side pass, leads, the posting trot and the natural depart, flying lead changes, balanced stops, rolls, and spins. The horse-and-rider team that becomes proficient in the Foreman method will enter a whole new world of enjoyment, performance skill, and competitive achievement.

Kelly Marks, who gets spectacular results in her exhibitions with the most fiery and recalcitrant of horses, says the secret is to talk to horses in their own language, establishing a relationship of trust and respect, using considerate and consistent techniques. You will find it helpful to formulate your own 'code of conduct' for your horse and while you're at it, for yourself as well, making consideration a way of life. Perfect Manners starts with the philosophy and concepts behind Kelly Marks' techniques and moves on to foundation exercises and groundwork training. There are also sections on Join Up and Body Language, Training Halters, Biting, Spooking and Shying and the 'Lovely Head Rub'.